Happy New Year! I wanted to make a bracelet that sparkled to ring in the new year... I loaded up the 26 size wire with these sparkly beads I bought at the bead store and spaced them out with small silver beads in between. I used a Labrador 1/2 coated 4x6 mm rondelle Chinese crystal bead that I loved in the store.... and a slightly bigger silver bead too!Each strand is attached to the silver jump ring and I just twisted the wire around and around until stable and added the clasp... completed in an hour and cost is under $10. Now to make a matching necklace!

I attended our Bookclub Christmas party and someone had made a lovely beaded bracelet so, with my christmas money, I went to the local bead store (after searching the internet for tutorials on making jewellery) and thus began my enjoyment of making my own jewellery!

Bead Mix and Silver Wire

The longest part of the DIY is stringing each bead onto the wire before braiding. I did not cut the wire until two packs of beads were on the wire. Then I measured a length to go around my wrist and cut 8 more lengths to match. I put three strands together, wrapping the three strands of wire around and around each other at the ends then "folded" them over a ring on each end. So there are 9 strands, attached to 3 rings on each end to attach to one ring and one clasp. Then I attached on one side and then braided the 3 strands of 3 and attached the last ring on one side and clasp on the other! And ready to wear